Taking the time to choose the right pet insurance for your cat is all about comparing different types and levels of cover to suit their needs, as well as your budget. This can help you get the best value out of an insurance policy, and make sure it’s covering your feline friend for treatments they might need during their lives. If you're more of a dog person, we also have a guide on the insurance options for pooches - you can read that article here.

What’s the best pet insurance for cats?

The best pet insurance for your cat is the policy that provides the right level of cover for their needs, from the demands of their breed or their chances of developing health problems. It’s can be best to get pet insurance as soon as you get your kitten or cat, so they’re protected against accidents or illnesses they may get later on.

If you’re adopting an older cat, it may not be possible to get cover for pre-existing conditions – that is any illness or chronic health problem they already have – but many insurers still offer policies that cater to older cats (usually meaning they’re over seven years old).

Which type of cover do I need?

Pet insurance usually comes in several types, from accident only, Time Limited or lifetime cover.

Lifetime cover means ongoing treatments will be covered for as long as the policy is active, while 12 month (or annual) policies only cover any condition for a maximum of 12 months and ongoing conditions will not be covered after each policy renewal. These policies also offer different levels to choose from, each has different limits on cover for unexpected vets bills. There’s also accident only cover, which means your cat is only covered for injuries in the event of an accident, and isn’t covered for any illnesses they develop.

Accident only cover is usually the cheapest, while lifetime cover is often the most expensive, but each offers something to suit different budgets and the needs of your cat. It might be tempting to always go for the cheapest option, but don’t forget that you’ll have to pay out of pocket for any unexpected vets bills that aren’t covered by your insurance, which could end up being more expensive.

Always check carefully what each policy and level of cover offers and weigh it against providing the best care you can for your pet, and how much you can comfortably afford. Learn more about the different cover types here.

How your cat’s breed can affect your premiums

Just as with dogs, there are many different breeds of cats that come in different shapes and sizes. While not quite as diverse as dog breeds, there are still breeds of cats than can affect the cost of pet insurance. Cats are generally more robust than dogs when it comes to chronic health problems, but a larger or more expensive breed could mean more expensive premiums.

It can be worth getting a higher level of cover as part of your cat insurance policy if you have a fancier breed, as pedigree pets tend to be more at risk of health problems. For example, Persian cats tend to be more at risk of breathing problems, while pure Bengal cats can often develop eye problems.

Is it cheaper to insure more than one cat?

It’s sometimes possible to get a discount on your pet insurance if you insure multiple cats in your household. Our multi-pet discount gives you a 10% discount if you have two or more cats you need to insure T&Cs apply. You can even add another cat later on and apply the discount to each pet, so long as they’re all living with you at your home address. Find out more about our multi-pet discount.

Asda Pet Insurance

Our pet insurance policies offer multi-pet discounts, access to a 24 hour Vet Advice Line and the option to pay monthly by direct debit with no interest charges. Check out our Pet Insurance page for more details and to get a quote.